I made some additions to our Grandpa’s Feeder. First I moved the lid into the second week position (the lid doesn’t close all the way, but has some movement when a chicken steps on the treadle, to get the chickens used to the movement). Then, because the movement of the treadle and lid is quite loud, I added rubber shelf lining to the bricks and to the screws that stop the motion of the lid so to deaden the sound a little.

The chickens are very startled by the movement and sound of the treadle and lid. Cloud is still my bravest, and can step up on the treadle and eat, then once she has it stable, the other chickens come to eat too. The problem is that when the other chickens are eating, she also likes to climb on the top of the feeder. I caught another chicken actually leaning over the top to get the food inside, so I made a small awning from scrap wood to keep them off the top.

I installed the awning with a hinge so when it is time to refill the feeder, I can swing the awning up and out of the way.

The chickens are definitely hungry; they peck at me with a little more force than before. The run has been stripped of everything remotely green, and they are even more vocal when I go out to check on them. I hope this is a relatively short time of adjustment. Once they have figured out the feeder and are comfortable with it, it will make leaving them for a time much easier. That is the goal.